Dr. Rock: Erie's The Groove ready to make new moves

Thursday

The local funk and R&B band plans more shows around town — including this weekend at the Bourbon Barrel — and in the region.

The Groove is on the move as it approaches its fifth anniversary.

The sizzling, horn-charged group conquered Erie from the outset, but now plans to expand its reach to outer cities, as well as discover new places to play in the area. The band will visit downtown’s Bourbon Barrel for the first time on Friday and make its second appearance at The Back Deck Restaurant in Harborcreek next weekend.

“It’s always an exciting thing for us to get a new room in town,” said Tony Ferrara, the Groove’s guitarist and bandleader. “Our goal for long term is to get some bigger-than-bar shows in the region, preferably the Cleveland, Buffalo and Pittsburgh areas.”

Winning over new fans is easy when you’ve got charismatic lead singers, turbocharged horns, a rhythm section that, well, grooves, and a dance-heavy set list that dabbles in current and classic funk and R&B songs.

Brittany Morton and Roy Hollis Jr. revel in working the crowd and commanding attention, which isn’t easy in an era when people stare at their cellphones more than the stage.

“We don’t like to just stand up there and sing and play,” Hollis said. “We like to get people involved. We like to move around. We like to groove!”

“I need to see a foot tapping or finger snapping or hand-clapping,” Morton added. “Because I personally feed off that. If people aren’t giving me any type of reaction, I’m thinking, ‘What am I doing wrong?’

“I just need any type of motion or something, even if it’s the eyes — something to let me know you’re not just talking," she added. "I want to know I’m still keeping your attention or entertaining you in some way."

What also sets The Groove apart is camaraderie. While conversing in their westside practice room, Ferrara, Hollis and Morton finished each other’s sentences and delivered wisecracks displaying their genuine affection for each other. Hollis, for example, talked about how The Groove was willing to bring him on as singer, even though his work schedule can involve weekends.

Hollis said that bond runs deep through the rest of the group, too: Tim Papotnik, keys; drummer Jim Dowds; bassist Paul Grenburg; trombonist Kent Tucker; trumpeter Brian Hannah; and saxophonist Geoff Wands. And everyone is committed to rehearsing and perfecting each song in the band's repertoire.

“We don’t just wing our music; we learn our music and we keep it tight. So people and other musicians hear us and they’ll know we’re playing with a real sound," Hollis said. "It’s not like, ‘Let’s just throw this together.’”

The Groove also avoids getting into a rut by learning new material. Morton loves recent addition “Saturday Love” — a duet with Hollis — as well as belting Janet Jackson’s “Control.” Ferrara said the band is also looking beyond funk.

“We also want to branch out and maybe do something that we weren’t looked at to do when we originally came out,” Ferrara said. “We’re doing some Steely Dan. We do ‘Peg’ and get the horns involved. We’re playing ‘Rosanna’ by Toto (where) there’s actually guitar playing, something other than chords. So we’re trying to break out of the box and expand our genre horizon, as well.”

Still, the band's bread-and-butter are funk and R&B jams by Bruno Mars, Earth, Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson and more. Making you move is The Groove's mantra.

“People love to get on the floor; that’s the kind of band we are,” Hollis said. “We can do Steely Dan and other songs to change; we have the gift to be able to do that. But our main thing is to try to keep the people out on the floor.”

“All night long!” Morton added.

HEAR IT

The Groove plays Friday, 9 p.m., at the Bourbon Barrel, 1213 State St. The band will also play April 21, 9 p.m., at the Sandbar Drafthouse, 2835 W. Eighth St., and on April 22, 8 p.m., at The Back Deck Restaurant and Catering, 4646 Buffalo Road. For more on the band, visit www.grooveerie.com.

3 MORE DR. ROCK PICKS

Join the evolution: Seven-piece Erie rock band Theory of Evolution takes a unique approach, covering assorted genres from the 1970s to ’90s, including Motown, hip-hop, country and classic rock. Expect Stevie Wonder, Kings of Leon, Janis Joplin, Mumford & Sons and plenty more on Saturday, 9 p.m., at Sherlock’s, 508 State St.
Stringing you along: Ace fiddler, singer and all-around entertainer Chris Higbee brings his high-voltage country rock back to Brew Brothers at Presque Isle Downs & Casino on Friday and Saturday, 9 p.m.
Get a clue: Colonel Mustard brings cool rock from the ’60s (Beatles, Stones) through the present (R.E.M., Tom Petty) to Irish Cousins, 3924 Main St. on Friday, 9 p.m. (Will Professor Plum show up? You'll just have to go find out.)

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